Coupling for use in fluid supply systems



Dec. 21, 1948. c. c. s. LE CLAIR 2,457,052-

COUPLING FOR USE IN FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEMS Filed Jan. 24, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l Attorneys Dec. 21, 1948. c. cl s. LE CLAIR 2,457,052

I COUPLING FOR USE IN FLUID SUBPLY SYSTEMS Filed Jam 24, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' A ltorney S.

Patented Dec. 21, 1948 COUPLING FOR USE IN FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEMS Camille Clare Sprankling Le Clair, Acton, London, England, assignor to Tecalemt Limited, Brentford, England, a corporation of Great Britain Application January 24, 1947, Serial No. 723,923 In Great Britain January 30, 1946 12 Claims. l

This invention relates to couplings for use in fluid supply systems, of the type comprising two detachable coupling members or ends one of which is adapted to be connected by a flexible hose or rigid pipe or directly to a source of fluid supply and the other of which is adapted to be connected, either by a flexible hose or rigid pipe or directly, to a place of use of the fluid, which coupling members each include a duct for the fluid and when joined together form a fluid-tight engagement with each other.

Such couplings may, for example, be used in systems for the supply of compressed air, combustible or other gas, or water, oil or other liquids. They may be used for coupling one length of hose to another or for coupling a hose to a fixed pipe or to a fixed supply or receiving apparatus. They may also be used, in certain cases, for coupling one piece of apparatus directly to another.

Couplings of the above type have been proposed in which one or each of the coupling members is provided with a valve which is adapted to prevent escape of fluid from the member when the coupling is disengaged.

It is an object of the pre-sent invention to provide an improved coupling of the type referredk to in which at least one of the coupling members is provided with a valve for this purpose which is simple in construction and reliable in operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fluid coupling in which leakage of fluid from the coupling member is reliably prevented, both when the coupling is engaged or coupled and when it is disengaged.

Yet another'object of the invention is the provision of a fluid coupling in which both of the coupling members are provided with valves and in which both the valves are constructed and arranged in a similar manner, the arrangement preferably being such that a substantial number of the components used in the construction of one coupling member are similar to those used in the construction of the other member. This reduces the total number of the types of parts which have to be manufactured and results in a saving in cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the coupling of the invention one or both of the coupling members may be provided with a valve. For the purpose of the following description the type of coupling in which one member only is provided with a valve will be referred to as a single-ended coupling, while the type of coupling in which both members are provided 2 with valves will be described as a double-ended coupling.

Cil

In the description of a Single-ended coupling, that member or end which includes the valve will be referred to as the valve member and the complementary member or end as the ferrule member. In the description of the double-ended coupling, the member which corresponds `to the valve member of a single-ended coupling will still be referred to as the valve member, and the complementary member, though it also contains a valve, will still .be referred to as the ferrule member.

It will be appreciated that, since the valve or valves is or are opened and held open when the two coupling members are engaged, the valve or Valves do not function in a non-return fashion, and hence fluid' may flow in either Adirection through the coupling. Thus, either the valve ,member or the ferrule member may be connected to a source of supply or to a place of use, but it will be further understood that where a singleended coupling is used it may be necessary to provide alternative means of shutting off either the supply source or the place lof use to which the ferrule member is attached.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and read-ily carried into effect the same will now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional View of a single-ended coupling with the coupling members uncoupled from each other;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a single-ended coupling, showing modified forms of coupling members; in this view the members are shown coupled together;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a double-ended coupling with the members uncoupled; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the same doubleended coupling, showing the members coupled together.

Referring first to Figure 1, the valve member is indicated generally at I and the ferrule member is indicated at 2.

The member I comprises a body which is generally of cylindrical shape. Approximately at its mid-length position it is formed with `a Spannerengaging part 3, on one side of which the body is of reduced diameter in the form of a hollow ferrul-e 5, -through which runs .an axial fluid duct 4.

This ferrule is adapted to nt into the end of a h-ose `t and, for greater security, is formed with axially-spaced lprojecting ridges l. The hose is rement.

Th-e outside of' the extension IE! is formed with .a shoulder I 2 and with an external ythread I3, on which is screwedan internally threaded union nut I4.. A resilient sealing member I5, which maybe made of rubber, synthetic rubber or other suitable materiaLisprovided. As is shown in the drawing lthis sealing member comprises an external flange part I6 and a tubular sealing part I'I, which latterisformed with an inwardly inclined sealing lip I8.- Thesealing member I5 is fitted to the mem-benl With the tubular part I'I extending into the end of the tubulariextensionl0..-.The rim .of the flange I6 is clamped between the union nut I4 andtheend of thenextension-A Ill.. Thearrangement is such that when they union nut.:I4 isi screwed up against the shoulder-I2 :the flange I6 is gripped sufficiently tightly toeffect-a .liquid-.tightseal Ibut not 'suiciently vtightly ,-to cause serious distortion of the flange..

The union nut.I4 is formed with Ian opening I9 inits end, .corresponding to the central aperture 2liA inthe sealing. member. opening IS islpreferablylflaredias is shown at2I.

Within the valve chamber II' there is slidably mounted a cylindri-calvalve element 2Z`,'Iwhich iS acted .upon .by a spring .23','urging it on to its seat on 4theilange I 6.

The endsofthe cylindrical valve element 22 are open .but are separated -from each other by a partition lor, wall .24.' The.A external surface of the elementis formed 'with longitudinally extending grooves. 25 to allow fluid to pass from one end or the...chamber II' tov .the other past the valve ele-` Alternatively, 'the grooves 25 vcould be omitted and .the valve element made a suiiiciently slacktin the chamber II'l to provide a passage between the valve element-,fand 'the walls'of the chamberl I for the 'dwloi fluid... w

Theend orrim 26""ofy the valve element 221s adapted-to Ymake asealing engagement with the iia`nge I'B'bf thesealing member. .I5 r'under the action of the spring 23. The inner and outer faces of the partitionwall 24 .arefofrm'ed:withradially extending passages 21' and 28"."

The union nuft'II is-enclo'sed a .sleeve 29which is freely rotatable on the nut I4 'and isretained in position-thereon .by having its endswaged over the-endof the nut'zas at;.3U."' v v The end of the sleeve 29'is formed with an invvardly4 extending ange 3I whichsurrounds a centralY aperture-32fwhich latter is adapted :to receivel the'- htubular Yend 33^`0fA `the complementary or ferrule coupling membercZ.' Two diametrically 1 opposed 'radiah'entryslots' 344 'are' out in the flange 3I, While the inn-er face of this lilange is also formed 'with two Aradially extending grooves 35i`-whi-chl arefrrarrangedatright angles to the slots 34.

The sleeve'fZfprevents an ordinary spanner from lbeing used to tighten up the union nut I4, soA in `order-"to enable this to be done, the end of the nut lis formed with diametrcally 'opposed slots 36i in which a suitable'tool'may be engaged.

The Icoupling member 2 not only comprises the cylindrical lferrule -part `SIL'Whieh is adaptedA to enter' into' the Y'couplingfmember I ythrough the The outer end of this respectively, but it also comprises a large hexagonal `Spanner-engaging part 31 and a threaded shank 38 by means of which shank the member may be attached to a pipe or to ka place of use.

. Theterrule part 33 is also provided with a pair of diametrically opposed projecting `lugs `39, while a fluid duct v4i) is provided extending the full length of the coupling member.

The coupling shown in Figure 2 is `also of -the single-ended type but in this oase the parts are shown coupled together, the same reference numbersas far as they go being used again.

In this view, however, the opportunity is taken to show diierentmethods of attachment. For example, the body of the valve member is shown having an internal thread |04 which is suitable for-attachment to a rigid pipe or xed piece of apparatuscomprising part of the uid system.

Similarly, the ferrule member is shown with an internal ferrule I4I and a clamping sleeve |42 for the attachment'of a'hose |43'. Those parts I4I and-|42 are similar to thosenurn-bered 5 `and 8 described with reference tothe valve member I of Figure l;

The operation of a single ended type of coupling will now be described with reference to Figures l and 2 of` the drawings.

With the coupling members in the uncoupl'ed position shown' in Figure l the fluid duct 4 in the member-'I is closed by means of the valve 22,'the rim 26 of which is pressed against the ange or seat vIii by thev action 'of the spring 2.3 and by the pressure of the iluid' inthe chamber II acting on the valve.H

To` couple the members together lthe tubular end 33' of the ferrule member is passed through the aperture-32 rin the sleeve 29, through the opening I9 inthev union'nut I4 land through'the centralv aperture 2U inthe sealing member I5, thus VAcontacting*and'forming a sealing engagement with the sealing lip lI8 ofthe member I5'. Having done' this it-engages the wallor p-artition`24 of the valve yelement 22. At or about this time the lugs 39, being rotated 'from the position shown in the' drawing,` enter the slotsv 34v in the flange k:il

of the sleeve 2S? Further inward Imovement of the ferrule part Sifcauses its end to press the valve element 22 oi its 1seat Ion thev ilange I G; thereby yputting the uid'duct 4 in the7 member I inv-'communication'y with the iluid duct'll' in the member tube, the fluid being able to flow throughthe chamber I I, through vthe grooves 25,`between the end 26 ofthe valve element 22 and the seat or flange I6 of the sealing Amember I5; through the v grooves 28 around fthe end ofthe ferrule part 33 andthus into' the vduct 40.5 The lsealing lip IB, which is urged Iagainst the` oute'rsurface of the ferrule part 33 by its own'resiliency vand by the pressure of `Athe fiuidfprovides /anefective seal against the escape of viluidfromfthe coupling.

Whenf'the ierrule member has been-fullyinf sertedinto the member lI thesleeve V2.9 isrotated through '90nv untilthe lugs 39 coincide with the v:grooves 35.- They-are heldin these grooves,

thereby retaining the members I and 2 coupled together, by the force of the spring 23 and by the pressure of the fluid, but the membersI can readily'be'- uncoup'ledwfrom each other merely by reversing the `aboveprocedure.

Thus; to uncouple lthe members of the couplin'g, the ferrule member 2 is firstI thrust to"- wards the valve member I, thus freeing lthe lugs il'irom the groovesyfit is'then rotated through 490"- "ftor 'bring Athe lu'g into lline with the' slot' 34 -end of the nut 314.

J and finally the members are drawn apart, the lugs 39 once more passing through the slots 34. As the ferrulepart 33 is withdrawn it allows the valve element 22 tobe pressed forward by the spring 23- towards its seaton the flange 16, which it reaches and with which it forms a liquid tight engagement before the ferrule part 33 leaves the sealing lip I8. rl"his ensures that no escape of fluid can occur.

As has been mentioned above, the valve member of the coupling may be connected either tothe source of supply or to a place of use of the pressure fluid. In either case it may be necessary to provide other means, such as a shut-olf cock or valve, for controlling the flow of fluid to or from the ferrule member.

The construction of a double-ended coupling will now be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

Referring first to Figure 3, this shows a coupling comprising a valve member 201 and a ferrule member 2132, both of which members include a Valve element.

rIhe valve member 281 differs from that shown in Figure 2 in the construction of the union nut (indicated at 214) and of the outer sleeve, whichg in this construction is indicated by the reference 229. The valve element (indicated at 222) which corresponds to the valve element 22 is shown as a slack fit in its chamber 21| instead of being formed With longitudinal grooves corresponding to the grooves 25. It will be appreciated, however, that the valve element could alternatively be formed with grooves similar to the grooves 25.

The union nut 214 differs from the nut I4 only in that its end is made of rather less thickness and the opening 219 therein is not shown as being tapered or flared, although it could be so formed if desired.v

Instead of being flanged inwardly the sleeve 229 is joined with an open end, while the walls of the sleeve are formed With a pair of diametrically opposed bayonet slots 234 which fulfill similar functions as the slots 34 and grooves 35 of the previous construction.

The remaining parts of the valve members ar identical in the two constructions.

The complementary or ferrule member 202 comprises a body having a'cylindrical part 3H), a valve element 322', a spring 323 and a sealing member 315, all of which are similar to the corresponding parts or" the valve member 231. A different form of union nut is provided, however. This nut 314, which is of rather greater length than the nut 214, is screwed onto the external thread 313 of the body and against the shoulder 312. The nut 314 is formed with an internal shoulderv 345 which engages a guide ring 346 and clamps it against the flange 316 of the sealing member 315. The arrangement again is such that when the nut is screwed up against the shoulder 312 the flange of the sealing member 315 is gripped sufiiciently tightly to make a liquid-tight seal but not suflicientlytightly to cause serious distortion of the sealing member.

The union nut 314 is also provided with a pair of projecting bayonet pins 34'1 which, when the members are coupled together, are adapted to engage in the bayonet slots 234.

A ferrule part 333, which is parallel throughout its length and is formed with an external collar or flange 348 at about its mid-point, is

Vslidably mounted in the ring 346 and in the opening in an inwardly extending flange 349 on the Its movement in the outward direction is limited by the engagementnf the collar 348 with the flange 349, while its movement in the inward direction is limited =by the engagement of the collar 348 with the guide ring 34S. The amount of movement permitted by these parts is substantially equal to the possible lift of the valve element 322 and the arrangement is such that when the part 333 is in its outermost positionits inner end 351i is still in engagement with the sealing member 315.

When the coupling members 2631 and 202 are disengaged from each other, as shown in Figure 3, the valve element `222 is held on its seat by the spring 223, thus preventing escape of fluid from that end of the fluid system, while in the ferrule member 232 the valve element 322 is also held on its seat by the spring 323 thus closing that end 0f the system. The ferrule part 333 is thrust outwardly towards the outer limit of its travel, there being sufficient clearance between the lcollar 348 and the flange 343 to ensure thatr the valve element 322 is properly seated.

To couple the two halves of the coupling together, the ferrule part 333 is introduced into the opening 213 in the union nut 214 and into the central aperture 221] in the sealing member 215, with the lip 213 of which it makes sealing engagement. Having done this it then engages the valve element 222 and forces it back off its seat. At' the same time the reaction of the ferrule part 333 causes its other end 353 to engage and press back the valve element 322 against the force of the spring 323, thus forcing this valve off its seat.

yTowards the completion of the engaging movement of the members v201 and 202, the bayonet pins 347 enter the slots 234 in which they are locked by turning the sleeve 223 through a small angle.

When coupled together the' parts occupy the positions shown in Figure 4, t'being noted that the total length of the ferrule part 333 andthe dimensions of the other parts are such that both the valve elements 222 and 322 are positively prevented from engaging their respective seats. The fluid-tightness of the coupling is ensured by the engagement of the sealing lips 213 and 3I8 of the sealing members 215 and 315 against the outer surfaces of the ends of the ferrule part 333.

When the coupling members are disengaged from each other by a reversal of the operations described above the two valve elements 222 and 322 will engage their seats 216 and 313 before the end of the ferrule part is withdrawn from the sealing member 215, thus ensuring that no fluid Can escape.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the respective coupling members may be adapted to be attached in any desired manner to the rest of the fluid system, whether to a flexible hose or to a rigidpipe or to a fixed or movable source or reservoir of fluid or apparatus utilising the fluid, and the construction of the valve members may be adapted accordingly.

member in communication with the fluid' ductin lthe'other member, one of said coupling members comprising a body part and a tubular ferrule` part extending therefrom, andthe other of said-coupling members comprising a body-part, a valve having'a tubular portion provided vwith an an,-v nular Valve face, and a resilient elementmounted in said-body part, said resilient element comprising an annular section, one face of which forms a seat for said Valve, and a tubular section projecting from said annular section inside said tubular portion of said valve, the arrangement being such that when the coupling members aie coupledl together theferrule part on the first member passes through the resilient element in the second member, the tubular section of the resilientl element forming a fluid-tight seal with the outer surface of the ferrule part and being adapted to be urged into contact with said surface by uid pressure within the coupling member, Whereafter the ferrule part engages said valve and moves it off its seat, thereby allowing fluid to flow from one coupling member tothe other through said ferrule part.

2. A coupling vfor use in iiuid systems comprising two coupling members each formed with a -duct for the passage of fluidtherethrough and means for coupling said members together .in a fluid-tight manner with the fluid .duct in one member in communication with the iiuid duct in the other member, one of said coupling members comprising a body part and a tubular ferrule part extending therefrom, and the other of said coupling members comprising a body-part, a valve slidably mounted in said body part, said valve having a transverse walland a tubular portion extending from said Wall, the end of said tubular portion forming an annular valve face, and a resilient element mounted in said body part, said resilient element comprising an annular section, one face lof which forms a seat for said Valve, and a ktubular section projecting from said an;- nular section inside said tubular portion of said valve, the arrangement being such that when the coupling members are coupled together the ferrule part on the rst member passes through the resilient element in the second member, the tubular section of the resilient element forming afluid-tight seal with the outer surface of the ferrule part and being adapted to be urged into contact with said surface by fluid pressure within thecoupling member, whereafter the ferrule part engages said transverse wall to move said valve off its seat, thereby allowing fluid Sto flow from one coupling member to the other through said ferrule part.

3. A coupling for use in fluid systems comprising two coupling members each formed with a duct for the passage of fluid therethrough `and means for coupling said members together in a fluid-tight manner with the fluid duct in one member in communication with the uid duct in the other member, one of said coupling members comprising a body part and a tubular ferrule part extending therefrom, and the other of said coupling members comprising a body-part formed with a chamber therein, a tubular valve element slidable in said chamber, said valve'element being formed with a transverse Wall separating one end of the chamber from the other and being so formed and dimensioned externally as to allow fluid to flow from one end'of 'the 'chamber .to the other eXternallyof said valve element 'within said chamber, one endof said tubular valve element being formed :as anannular valv'eface,- and :a

resilient elementmountedin said body'part, said resilient element comprising v`an annular section; one face-of which forms alseatforfsaid valve, and

, af'tubularsection projectingfromsaid annular section inside said tubular portionvof saidvalve,

the; arrangement Abeingfsuch that when the .cou-s pling members are fcoupled together .the'ferrule part onthe rstrmember passes through the resilient element in the second member-,fthe tubular section y .of Kthe resilient element .forming ai fluidtight seal with the outersurface ofthe ferrule part Iand .lceingradaptedy to be urgedintofcontact with said surface by iiuid pressure within the coupling member, whereafter the ferrule part engages said transversefzwalltomove said valve element olf its seat and thereby toallow'uidlto `flow from one rcoupling'member tothe otherthrough said ferrulepart.

4. A coupling for use in fluid systems comprisingtwo coupling members-each formedlwith a duct -f or Ithe passage of -iluidhtherethrough dand means for coupling .saidmembers` together in a fluid-tight manner with the fluidduct invone member in communicationwith the uidduct in the other member, one of ysaid coupling members comprising a body part and atubular lferrule part extending therefrom,and the other ofsaidcoupling members comprising av body-part formed with a chamber therein,.a tubular valve element slidable iny said chamber,V said valve 1 element Abeing formed with atransverse Wall separating one end of the chamber from the other and beingso formed and dimensioned externally vfas to allow uid tollow-from-one endof lthe chamber to the other externally of said valve element Within-said chamber, one vendfof said tubular valve element being formed as an annular Valve face, a .resilient .element mounted in said body part, said resilient element comprising an. annular section, one -f ace of which Vf orms ya -seat for-said va1ve,vand a tubular section projecting from `said-annular sectionfinside-said tubular portion of saidvalve element, and a springllocatedin said chamber and bearingvgon said transverse wall to .urge said valve element into itsy closed position, the arrangement being such that. when the coupling members are coupled together the ferrule part on the first member passes through the resilient element in the secondmemben the tubular section Aof the resilient 'element forming a duid-tight seal with .the outer surfacey of the ferrule part .and being adapted tobe urged intocontact with said surface by fluidpressure. within the coupling member, whereafter the ferrule-'part vengages said transverse-wall to movel said-Valve element off its seatagainst the pressure of Said spring andthereby toallow fluid to flow from onecoupling member tothe other through said ferrule part, said transverse wall being formed whererit is engaged vby the end of said ferrule part with a'passage to Yvalve, and theother of said couplingymembers comprising a body part, a valve having a tubular portion provided with an annular valve face and `a resilient element mounted in said body part,

said resilient element comprising an annular section, one face of which forms a seat for said valve, and a tubular section projecting from said an nular section inside said tubular portion of said valve, the arrangement being such that when the coupling members are coupled together the ferrule part on the first member passes through the resilient element in the second member, the tubular section of the resilient element forming a fluid-tight seal'with the outer surface of the ferrule part and being adapted to be urged into contact with said surface by fluid pressure within the coupling member, whereafter the ferrule part engages said valve and moves it off its seat, the ferrule part being forced inwardly in the first member to open the valve therein, thereby allowing fluid to flow from one coupling member to the other through the said ferrule part.

6. A coupling for use in uid systems comprising two coupling members each formed with a vduct for the passage of fluid therethrough and means for coupling said. members together in a fluid-tight manner with the fluid duct in one member in communication with the fluid'duct in the other member7 one of said coupling members comprising a body part, a valve movably mounted in said body part and adapted to cut off the flow of fluid through the member, and a ferrule part movably mounted in said body part and adapted, when moved inwardly, to engage and open said valve, and the other of said coupling members comprising a body part, a valve i slidably mounted in said body part, said valve having a transverse wall and a tubular portion extending from said wall7 the end of said tubular portion forming an annular valve face, and a resilient element mounted in said body part, said resilient element comprising an annular section, one face of which forms a seat for said. valve, and a tubular section projecting from said annular section inside said tubular portion of said valve, the arrangement being such that when the coupling members are coupled together the ferrule part on the first member passes through the resilient element in the second member, the tubular section of the resilient element forming a fluid-- tight seal with the outer surface of said ferrule part and being adapted to be urged into Contact with said surface by fluid pressure within the coupling member, whereafter said ferrule part engages said transverse wall to move said valve off its seat, said ferrule part being forced inwardly in the first member to open the valve therein, thereby allowing fluid to flow from one coupling member to the other through the said ferrule part.

'7. A coupling for use in fluid systems comprising two coupling members each formed witha duct for the passage of fluid therethrough and Ineansfor coupling said members together in a fluid-tight manner with the fluid duct in one member in communication with the fluid duct in` formed with a transverse wall separating one end of the chamber from the other and being so formed and dimensioned externally as to allow fluid to llow from one end of said chamber to the other externally of said valve element within said chamber, one end of said tubular valve element being formed as an annular valve face, and a resilient element mounted in said body part, said resilient elementcomprising an annular section, one face of which forms a seat for said valve element, and a tubular section projecting from said annular section inside said tubular portion of said valve element, the arrangement being such that when the coupling members are coupled together the ferrule part on the rst member passes through the resilient element in the second member, the tubular section of the resilient element forming a fluid-tight seal with the outer surface of the ferrule part and being adapted to be urged into contact with said surface by fluid pressure within the coupling member, whereafter the ferrule part engages said transverse wall to move said valve ofi" its seat, the ferrule part being forced inwardly in the first member to `open the valve therein, thereby allowing fluid to flow from one coupling member to the other through said ferrule part. i

8. A coupling foruse in fluid systems comprising two coupling members, each formed with a duct for the passage of fluid therethrough and means for coupling said members together in a fluid-tight mannerwith the iluid duct in one member in communication with the fluid duct in the other member, each of said coupling members comprising a body part, a valve having a tubular portion provided with an annular valve face, and a resilient element mounted in said body part, said resilient element comprising an annular section, one face of which forms a seat for said valve, and a tubular section projecting from said annular section inside said tubular portion of said valve, and lone of said coupling members also including a tubular ferrule part one end of which passes through said resilient element with which it forms a fluid-tight seal and engages said valve and the other end of which ferrule part projects from the coupling member, the arrangement being such that when the coupling members are coupled together said ferrule part on the one member passes through the resilient element in the other member,- the tubular section of the resilient element in this member forming a fiuldtight seal with the outer surface of said ferrule part, whereafter said ferrule part forces both'said valves off their seats, thereby allowing fluid to flow from one coupling member to the other through the said ferrule part.

9. A coupling for use in fluid systems comprisu ing two coupling members, each formed with a duct for the passage of fluid therethrough and means forcoupling said members together inra yfluid-tight manner with the fluid duct vin one memberrin communication with the fluid duct4 in the lother member, Aeach of said coupling members comprising a body part, a valve slidably mounted in said body part, said valve having a transverse wall and a tubular portion extending from said wall, the end of said tubular portion forming an annular valve face, and a resilient element mounted in said body part, said resilient element comprising an annular section, one face of which forms a seat for said valve, and a tubular section projecting from said annular section inside said tubular portion of said valve, and one of said coupling members also including a slidably .mounted tubular y'ferrulelpart one .end of :which yl-passes through said resilient .elen'nentfwith7 which `itforms a fluid-tight 'seal and i-en'gagesfsaid vtransverse wall andlthe other endifofwhichA ferrule part.` projects from' ,the .coupling member, the arrangement Abeing lsuch th'at when'the coupling .members are'coupled-together'said ferrule part .duct for the passage of'liiuid therethrough and means Afor couplingsaid members togetherin a uid-tight mannerv with the' fluid duct in `one member in communication: with fthe 'fluid duct lin the other member; eachl 'of said coupling `mem-- bers comprising a body partfformed with a Jchamber therein, a tubular valve element 'slidable 4in said chamber, said Valve element 'being' formed with a transverse fwallfseparating one 'endof the chamber from the other and being sofformed and dimensioned externally as to allow uid to ilow from one end of the chamber-to the other externally of said valve elementwithin said chamber,l Vone end ofsa'id tubular valve element being rformed as an annular v'alve' face, and a resilient element mounted in said body part', said resilient element comprising 'an annular section, one face oi' which forms a seat for'said valve element, andl a tubular section'projecting'from said annular section inside sa'id tubular 'portion' of said valve element, 'and one of said coupling members also vcomprising a slidably mounted; tubularierr'ule part one end of which passes through saideresilient lelement with which it: forms a uid-tightseal and engages said transverse Wall and the other -end of which ferrule partprojectsfrom the -coupling member, 'the arrangement beingl such that when vthe coupling members are coupled together said ferrule part on the onemember passes through theV resilient elementin lthe other member, the tubular section Aofthe resilienty element in Athis member forming a fluid-'tight seal with the outerv 4surface ofi-saidferrule-part;-whereafter said ferrule part moves bothsaid valves 'o theirseats, thereby allowing fluid'tov flow from one coupling member -to the otherthrough'tlle said ferrule part.

11. A fluid coupling for use in fluid systems com- 1'2 uncou'pled from ea'chfother; fone of .said'c'oupling 'members including: a; 'tubular' `ferrule part fwhich is mounted .for limited-:longitudinal:movement in saidt member,": andi'. a vresilient -sealing .f element Whichengages :the outer surface f etz-said, lferrule Apart'tc form a fluid-tight seal therewith; andthe other isaidA couplingf'member including a resilient :sealing `elementthrough which l*said* ferrule part `isaad'apted to pass and vwith the outerfsurfacefof whichfittmakes aluid-tight seal when thefmembers arecoupled together,thezarrangement.being such vthat on vcoupling the' members together the ends of said ferrule part'engage both 'said'valves -to"move them fori' their seats, thereby-z allowing 'uid to` flow :from one couplingfmember 'tox'ithe other through 'said ferrule part.

\-"12.A" uid 'coupling forsuse in luidsystems comprising two"coupling members each 'formed Iwith a' duct for thefpassage of vfluid Iftlfieretlfirough and vmeans for `coupling said' members together in a fluid-tight-fmanner with theiiuidfduet 'in one member in communication with thefluid duct in the other' member, each Yof said coupling members comprising a valve adapted to cut oi Tuid ilow from the member whenv the' members vare uncoupled from each other, one of saidy coupling members includingA a tubular ferrule partiwhich is mounted for limited longitudinal movement'in 'said member, and a resilient sealing element which engages the outer surfaces 'of said ferrulepart l'to forma fluid-tight seal therewith, `and the vo'ther said coupling memberincluding a resilient `sealing element through 'which said 'ferrule part `is1 adapted to pass and with the outer surface of Whichit makes auid-tight seal'When :the members are coupled together, the arrangement being suchl that on `coupling the members together the ends of vsaid ferrule part engage both said valves to movethemoifftheir seats, thereby allowing fluid to ow from one coupling member .to the other through said ferrule part, each said resilient velement comprising an annularportion forming a seat for said valve and each saidvalve comprising a tubular portion an end`fof-'which 'is adapted to yengage-said Valveseat. 'CAMILLE CLARE SPRANKLING LE CLAIR.

REFERENCES CITED Y The following references arenof record inythe `le of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 879,880 Landau Feb. 25,' 1908 1,345,571 VYates July 6, 1920 i 1,869,411 DeMooy Aug. ,2, 1932 2,044,252 Mitchell June 16, 1936 2,135,222 Scheiwer Nov.,1,'1938 2,248,701 Fowler "July 8,' 1941 2,268,020 Dahlstrom Dec. 30, 1941 J' 2,344,739 "Shal Mar. 21, .1944 2,373,886 Geiger Apr.`17, 1945 Scheiwer Apr. 22,1947 

